Kangra Baijnath Temple- Himachal Pradesh

Address

Kangra Baijnath Temple- Baijnath, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh 176125

Diety

Baijnath (Shiva)

Introduction

Baijnath Temple is a Nagara style temple situated in a small town of Baijnath located in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India, and was built in 8th Century by two local merchants named Ahuka and Manyuka. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vaidyanath ‘the Lord of physicians’. According to the inscriptions on the present day Baijnath temple structure, a temple of Lord Shiva had existed before construction of present-day structure. The inner sanctum houses a Shiva lingam. Further images are carved in the walls and in niches on the exterior.

Puranic Significance

The temple was constructed more than 1000 years around 1204 AD by local merchants and Lord Shiva devotees Ahuka and Manyuka. The Baijnath temple redefines the Nagara style of architecture, which is highly popular in Himachal Pradesh. While the inner and outer walls of the temple boasts of exotic carving and sculptures depicting incidents of Hindu mythology, the inner sanctum houses the holy shivling. Surrounded by lush green gardens, the temple is destined to take your breath away as it overlooks the mighty snow-clad mountains while filling the air with spirituality. Numerous idols are carved on the walls of the temple. Some of them dating prior to the present temple were built. Idols include: Lord Ganesha, Lord Harihara (Half Lord Vishnu and Half Lord Shiva), Kalyanasundara (wedding of the Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati) and defeat of asura Andhaka by Lord Shiva. The demon King Ravan was a sworn devotee of Lord Shiva. How he became the king of Lanka is an integral part of our ancient scriptures. Ravan always wanted to become the king of the great land of Lanka and for this, he decided to perform a penance in the name of Lord Shiva. He cut off his ten heads and sacrificed them to Lord Shiva as a part of his prayer. Pleased by his dedication, Lord Shiva not only granted him the boon of unparalleled strength and wisdom to rule the land of Lanka but also reinstated all his heads to as they were before. Hence, he is called the ‘God of Healing’. Overwhelmed by Lord Shiva’s generosity, Ravan dared to ask the lord of another request; a request for the Shiva to accompany him to Lanka. Lord Shiva granted him this wish by turning himself into a Shivaling and asked him only to put it down once they arrive at Lanka. Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma became extremely worried that the power of the holy Shivling coupled with Ravan’s newly found strength and wisdom could make him unbeatable. The lords started blowing strong winds Ravan’s face as he travelled to Lanka. The unbearable cold forced Ravan to attend nature’s call. He saw a beggar sitting on the corner of the street, and asked him to hold the Shivaling while he was gone. This beggar was, in fact, Lord Vishnu in disguise. As soon as Ravan gave Lord Vishnu the custody of the Shivaling, he immediately put it down and the Shivling attached itself to the ground, rendering it immovable. This is now the Baijnath Temple.

Beliefs

It is believed that the water flowing from the temple has great medicinal qualities, healing the devotees from health issues to a great extent. The deity of Lord Shiva at the Baijnath temple is worshipped in the form of a physician due to the healing qualities.

Special Features

The architecture of the Baijnath temple hints of an early medieval North Indian style which is popularly called as ‘Nagara’. This technique has been blended with architectural styles that are mainly popular in Orissa. Hence, such an artistic blend is unique to the state of Himachal Pradesh. There are two entrances, north and south and a vast vestibule in the middle with balconies on either side. This is the Mandap. Before the Mandap is a small porch that is based on four columns. On this porch rests Nandi, the mount or vaahan of Lord Shiva. The inner sanctum, where the Shivaling lies, is surrounded by walls that are speckled with artistic drawings and paintings. The history of the Baijnath Temple is inscribed in the stone walls of the complex. Inscriptions on the walls of the temple indicate that before the present temple, a shrine of Lord Shiva rested on the same spot. Lush green gardens and manicured lawns make a perfect foreground for this unique and ancient structure.